Thursday, January 27, 2011

Letter from Texas

I know I’m in Texas, because I can see a Lone Star flag out the window. Make that four Lone Star flags. Query: Is it accurate to call it a “lone” star when there’s a caboodle of them?

Houston is the first place I’ve been to in four months that isn’t suffering from the kind of frigid weather that makes headlines: HUNDREDS IN METRO AREA DEAD OF SNOWFLAKE POISONING.

The weather here is just fine, thanks; yet nobody seems to notice. A nice lady from the café I’m sitting at as I type this came over and asked if I’d like to move to a table out of the sun. Get out of the sun? That’s like telling a famine victim he only gets one trip through the buffet line.

I tend to be slow on the uptake, so it’s hard to fathom that I’m sweating in Texas so soon after shivering in New York. Last weekend I was in Manhattan for the maiden voyage of Vogue Knitting Live!–me and something like 3,000 other knitters. The New York Hilton is a dim, grim Death Star of a hotel, but we warmed it right up.

Everybody was there. Tout le ever-loving monde. This was my first gig as part of an all-star cast; I almost went blind from the combined mega-wattage at the mandatory teachers’ meeting on Friday. Example: I was talking to Cat Bordhi when Stephanie Pearl-McPhee tapped me on the shoulder; so I turned around and almost tripped over Iris Schreier, who was sitting next to Carol Sulcoski and Cookie A, who were sitting next to Meg Swansen, who was talking to Beth Brown-Reinsel and Nancy Bush.

And there were donuts.

It would have made one hell of a picture, but I don’t photograph knitters I love at 7:30 in the morning, especially before the coffee kicks in. That's a great way to wind up with 23 needles stuck in your neck.

The last time I turned giddy from meeting knitters whose work I greatly admire (at TNNA), I caught flak from some folks (mostly guys, oddly enough) for the perceived sin of name-dropping. I expect that will happen this time, too. Know what? I don’t care. If you can meet Debbie Bliss, Mary Beth Temple or Catherne Lowe with indifference–good for you. This blog is my party and I'll squee if I want to.

Hit List

I have to get ready for tonight’s event (book signing, Twisted Yarns, 5:30–7:30, y’all come on down), but first a snippet of between-class conversation from VKL between myself and Melissa Morgan Oakes, noted author, designer, apiarist and chicken-killer.

Melissa has taught at the famous Knitter’s Review Retreats organized by Clara Parkes. When I mentioned that I’d like to do the same, she informed me (with a touch of nyah-nyah-nyah in her voice, may I add) that I have to wait for somebody to die before a slot will open up in the roster. It’s that sweet a gig.

I looked downcast. Melissa cheerfully suggested I could be pro-active and kill somebody, instead of waiting for the Grim Reaper to cull the herd. She then went down the list, teacher by teacher, trying to determine who should be the prime target.

“Not Cat Bordhi, obviously,” she said. “Ann Budd…no, definitely not.” And so on, until only one name, and one likely victim, remained: Melissa Morgan-Oakes.

“Wow,” she said wistfully. “I guess I’d be the one to kill. Dang.”

Never fear, Melissa. I’m Buddhist to the core. Plus, I hear from the chickens how good you are with that axe.

I am greatly relieved to know I am not on your hit list. Or Melissa's (she is a sly and clever one, capable of anything, but we are great friends). And yes, VKL was a blast, although in my opinion not an arctic one. But I may have left before the most northern molecules arrived.

Franklin, I'm up outside of Dallas, was 62 here today and I was sitting outside on my deck this afternoon...after freezing all weekend in NYC for VK Live as well. I'm looking forward to 70 degrees tomorrow and more sitting out in the sun, no shade please!

I'd name drop too.. but really I think it's your way of showing us your awe at being considered one of them.. and we do. You are one of the knitting greats.. no matter how many women in airports think you are a rock star musician, we know that you are a rock star knitter.

Franklin, If you came to Melissa Morgan-Oakes side of the world, Northampton, MA, for an event (though you may want to put it off for a few months, the snowbanks are over our heads) I could come meet YOU and squee about you on my blog! I squeed on Pearl-McPhee when she appeared at "America's yarn store" Just something to think about...

As a Texan who now lives in Oregon, I NEVER move out of the sun if I'm in it. I used to. Shade was the Thing. Not anymore!!

Also, since I believe in spreading this around as much as possible, Texas is the friendship state. Texas is a bastardized version of "Tejas," (tay-haas) the Native American word (from some tribe, I forget) for "Friend."

SO glad that you graced our city and taught us a few things along the way! Can't wait for November....and you know you have a "special" driver if you want to see those things your freinds told you to check out!

Love the Hilton as the "Death Star Hotel"! Boy it was a dim and dark place, but 3k knitters really made it shine. I enjoyed your lecture so much. You are definately squee worthy :) Good thing you left NY when you did, we were hit with about 16" of more snow, now making me feel like I reside on the Ice Planet Hoth!! Enjoy your sunshine.

I felt so bad even considering complaining that I was only cold in my office on a beautiful 70+ degree day in North Central Texas. I wish I could have been at VK Live but you can only live in one part of the country.

I was "squeeing" in my head today, Franklin! YOU are a knitting superstar wehether you know it or not! So glad our crazy Texas weather cooperated for you on your visit to the Lone Star state! I LOVED your class today and have been smiling ever since!

Franklin, when you get back from Texas, would you consider mentioning Warm Hats Not Hot Heads, the knitters' campaign to restore civility in politics? There's a group on Ravelry and we're also on Facebook. The idea is to knit hats--which embody the concept of every stitch working for the common good--for every member of Congress and every Senator, to illustrate our desire for our representatives to put down the poison pens and take up the business of crafting solutions to the various problems and challenges facing our country. This campaign was begun by your fellow knitbloggers Twinsetellen (http://twinset.us/) and SpinDyeKnit (http://spindyeknit.com/). Thank you!

Franklin, it was a treat to take another class with you (and attend your lecture) - you are part of tout le knitting monde! Some day I hope to attend the Clara's Retreat, but first I want to go to Camp ;)

When you're down, and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirits and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full Diablo iii Gold Sale, this is Forever Friendship Diablo III Gold, someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it Diablo 3 Gold.

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